Archive for March 2nd, 2009

Previous Pick: Oakland Raiders

8. Jacksonville Jaguars

-B.J. Raji (DT/Boston College)

NFL.com

What makes me enjoy watching Jaguars football games is their extraordinary physicality. They love to run the ball, and play tough defense. The defensive and offensive lines take precedence. That is why I believe they will look at Raji before any other player.

John Henderson and Marcus Stroud were once the most fearsome tackle duo in the league. Last season that pair split when Stroud went to the Bills, literally leaving a huge gap in the defensive line. Let’s face it, the Rob Meier experiment at DT didn’t go very well. So, now Jacksonville has the chance to correct that mistake.

B.J. Raji has the added bonus of being well-suited for a the nose tackle in the Jaguars new hybrid 3-4 defense. But if John Henderson is  good enough to play there, then Jacksonville may look in another direction.

-Malcolm Jenkins (DB/Ohio State)

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Besides Rashean Mathis, the Jags are thin at the cornerback spot. They just cut Drayton Florence, who was a massive bust. It appears the team may be searching for another big, physical cornerback to play opposite of Mathis.

Although I believe Malcolm Jenkins is better suited for safety, he seems to fit too well in with the Jaguars. The Ohio State graduate is fantastic against the run, and plays physically at the line of scrimmage. Plus, he has a very similar build to potential teammate Mathis.

I know Jenkins had a bad combine, but he is still a quality player who seems custom made for Jacksonville.

-Rey Maualuga (ILB/USC)

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Like Maualuga, Jack Del Rio is a former USC linebacker. He may insist on having the thunderous tackler playing the inside in his hybrid 3-4 scheme. Also, after dropping Mike Peterson, they may look for a fearsome presence in the middle. I agree this is a little high to choose a middle linebacker, but if the Jags believe Maualuga is a bonafide playmaker (which I think he is), then it isn’t a reach.

-Michael Oher (LT/Ole Miss)

I had been on the fence about the Jaguars selecting an offensive lineman here. But a fellow blogger  (The Ghostwriter) struck a chord with me.

The physical play of the Jacksonville run game and pass attack are predicated on a solid offensive line. Because of injuries and age, the Jaguars line finished 25th in sacks allowed (42). Therefore, they just might try to pick an offensive lineman.

NFL.com

Michael Oher is a fantastic player but isn’t quite the value as Raji would be at number 8. I am inclined to think that the franchise might look to grab a tackle with their second round pick. But I figured i’d cover all the possibilities-and offensive lineman is one of them.

I’d have to say I originally thought I would place Andre Smith here because he strikes me as the type of player the Jags would love. But recent developments make that really hard to do.

Next on the clock : Green Bay Packers

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